Weakening family ties and kinship affiliation affecting children
With a total of 2566 POCSO Act cases in Meghalaya, and a rising trend of child sexual abuse, one of the contributing factors is the gradual erosion of cultural values and norms which is more clearly evident in family and kinship.
A brief report published by Meghalaya Commission for Protection of Child Rights analysed the socio-cultural patterns in Meghalaya, wherein the report noted the importance of close family bonds and kinship.
Meghalaya is essentially a matrilineal society where lineage and descent is traced through females where the girl child is anticipated and considered an asset to the continuity of the clan.
The report pointed out that in recent decades strong external forces have weakened the close bonds of family and kinship and made the system vulnerable.
The report stated, “Some of the factors affecting changes in these societies can be attributed to: rural to urban migration (urbanization process), education, westernization, political change, not to mention the role of social media in more recent times.”
Going back in time, the report mentioned that families used to live in close knit village communities and even the maternal uncles were dominant males with significant decision, making responsibilities and powers in the Khasi- Jaintia communities.
As for Garo Societies, the paternal males were as important, wielding significant decision making power in their wives’s homes.
Matriliny functioned as a secure network of culturally established roles and responsibilities. Both men and women were protected by these cultural norms and obligations.
The report pointed out, “In such a system the ‘girl child’ is assumed to be as shielded especially from any kind of abuse. Violations do occur in the past from oral accounts, but they were not frequent because of traditional systems of constraints and punitive response.”
However, the closely knit matrilineal family and clan and the corresponding close relationships and control have undergone drastic transformation as more people are migrating to the urban areas due to the demands of work and educational aspirations.
The kinship support and strength has diminished and become non- existent in many cases while in the past poor families, orphaned children, single mothers (widowed or deserted), teenage pregnant mothers and the old and infirm had a system of support and protection through kinship affiliation.
The weakening and increasing loss of kinship support, affects children in a number of ways as children become vulnerable to sexual predators, be it biological fathers and paternal relatives or maternal uncles and maternal kinsmen which include siblings.
A cultural expectation among others remain, that is, the expectation of the ‘girl child’ (below 18 years) to procreate and ensure the continuity and prosperity of the clan/ lineage.
Girls as young as 14 years are encouraged to entertain suitors and subsequently mate.
Observations / Recommendations / Suggestions
The report by the Commission stated that awareness should intensify and multi strategy approach should develop with more stake holders involvement which will involve print and electronic media.
Stakeholders would include locality headmen,.women’s groups and organizations, youth groups and student leaders, faith based organizations, child rights and other civic organizations.
A follow up sessions and counseling of families of survivors was also suggested as often the victims are shamed and discriminated by their family and closest relatives.
The Commission also suggest prioritizing POCSO cases to speed up the process of trial and ensure justice is assured for the survivor.
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